By Cassylee Mead
Edited by Nancy Waddell
As a hospice nurse and a beauty pageant contestant, Red Cross volunteer Anna Hiatt takes the message of emergency preparedness to some unique audiences. Continue reading
Answering the Call
By Cassylee Mead
Edited by Nancy Waddell
When an ordinary day turns into disaster, who does the Red Cross call on? Volunteers. Volunteers like Bob Dolhanyk. Bob started as a volunteer 10 days before the Washington Landslide Event, then answered the call to respond to one of Washington’s largest natural disasters. Because of his prior work experience, Bob stepped up to the role of Assistant Director of Planning for the Red Cross response. Later, he took on the position of Long-term Recovery Manager for the landslide. Continue reading
What should you do when you need to evacuate?
Key information from the Red Cross
EVACUATION SHELTERS
- Shelters are open to all residents who have had to leave their homes due to evacuations orders or who have been impacted by wildfire activity.
- Shelter sites are open day and night and are a safe place to stay.
- Red Cross staff and volunteers are providing meals, water, emergency relief supplies, shower facilities, health and emotional support and recovery assistance.
- Overnight stays at a Red Cross shelter are not required in order to seek assistance or use shelter facilities, such as showers.
- Power is available for those who need to charge phones and laptops.
- Shelters are open to all local residents, regardless of citizenship status
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING TO A SHELTER
The Red Cross encourages anyone coming to a Red Cross emergency shelter to bring personal items for each member of their family: prescription and emergency medications, extra clothing, pillows, blankets, hygiene supplies, important documents and other comfort items. It’s also important to bring special items for children, such as diapers, formula.
American Red Cross evacuation shelters are open to all local residents:
- All area residents are welcome to stop by the shelter for meals, water, and available information about the current fire situation, regardless of citizenship status.
- Residents are not required to stay the night.
- Health assistance and emotional support are available.
- Pets are not allowed in Red Cross shelters except for service animals.
- Shelters will remain open until Emergency Management and the Red Cross determine there is no further identified need for sheltering.
To find up-to-date shelter information
Go to RedCross.org, under the Get Help tab. The map provides shelter locations, that are updated every 15 minutes.
You can find the information on this link.
Coworkers Honor Cancer Patient by Helping to Save Lives
By Cassylee Mead
Edited by Nancy Waddell
“I thought she had the flu,” said Bryan Smith, Heather Postyeni’s fiancé. They were approaching two years together when he took Heather to the doctor. It was May of 2016 when Heather was told she had leukemia, cancer that attacks blood and bone marrow.
Microsoft hardware gift helps Red Cross deliver hope
by Colin Downey
When major disasters strike, the need to quickly move people and supplies – including technology – is critical. In the first days following the recent Louisiana floods, more than 1,000 Red Cross responders were on the ground helping out. Simultaneously, the Red Cross was ramping up large relief operations in California due to wildfires. Having access to the right technology hardware is a must in these situations, and partners like Microsoft help us deliver the mission when help is needed most. Last week, Microsoft generously donated 104 laptops to be used on Red Cross disaster relief operations like the California wildfires.
“This gift will impact our ability to quickly scale our technology needs in times of disaster and we are grateful for Microsoft’s support,” said Ronnie Strickland, Chief Information Officer of the American Red Cross. “Because of Microsoft, we will deploy needed equipment quickly to the scene of a large scale disaster allowing us to assist families in need.”
To learn more about Red Cross relief efforts in Louisiana and across the country, visit redcross.org.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
Survival Recipe
By Amy McCray
Edited by Nancy Waddell
Geological history recounts major earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest occurring every 240 years, scientists remind us. In such a scenario, we may have limited access to food and water supplies. Amy McCray, a chef with more than 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry, shares how to put together your earthquake preparedness kit with an emphasis on food. Continue reading
Offering Peace of Mind
By Rebecca Boehm
Edited by Rachel Ramey
Sandy Mama, Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) Regional Director, shared just a few of the insights and perspectives she’s gained during her past nine years with the organization. For her, some of the most impactful services the Red Cross offers are ones that many aren’t familiar with.
Joint Multinational Readiness Center commander presenting Sandy Mama an award at Hohenfels, Germany before she moved to Korea.
